Cortland City School District students are building hardware for NASA, performing in their first all-county band concert in nearly three decades, and benefiting from a $1.175 million state grant for an early college program, according to district news releases and state records.
Students Design for NASA
Cortland High School students are participating in NASA’s HUNCH (High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware) program, designing products for the International Space Station, including work on a lunar capsule project, per the district’s news page. The nationally recognized workforce development program gives students hands-on engineering experience with real NASA missions.
First All-County Band Concert Since 1997
Musicians from six Cortland County schools performed in the first All-County Bands Concert since 1997, performing under guest conductors, according to the Cortland City School District. The event marked a return of a decades-old tradition.
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$1.175 Million Early College Grant
The Cortland Enlarged City School District and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) secured a $1.175 million grant from the New York State Education Department to develop an Early College High School. Cortland is the first district in Cortland County to receive a grant through the state’s Smart Scholars program, per TC3. The program targets students traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, giving them the chance to earn college credits while completing high school.
Staff Recognized
Amy Worlock was accepted into the New York State Master Teacher Program and received a Tiger Paw Award at the Feb. 24 Board of Education meeting, presented by Superintendent Kristen Shoemaker, per district news.
Jennifer Drake and Anthony Canestaro received Tiger Paw Awards for their actions during a student medical emergency, and Katerina Fabian was recognized for being “a team player who always provides positive” assistance, per the district.
Student Art Award
Two Cortland High School students won a statewide art contest celebrating the “Constitution’s Promise” theme, according to district announcements.
Community Support
The community donated 400 stuffed animals to Parker and Barry elementary schools for student comfort, per the district. The Cortland football program collected nearly 200 clothing items for community members in need through its “Tackling the Cold” drive. The City of Cortland funded new playground equipment and wood chips at Parker Elementary, per district news.
Device-Free Schools
The Board of Education approved a new “Distraction Free Schools” policy restricting electronic devices, and the district launched ParentSquare as a unified communications platform for families, per the district website.
Sources: Cortland City School District (cortlandschools.org), Tompkins Cortland Community College (tompkinscortland.edu), SUNY Cortland (cortland.edu)
